By Chris Bishop and Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, June 24: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg greenlights the request to build a dedicated gallery to display Dayak and Orang Ulu cultural artefacts.
During the speech, Abang Johari took the opportunity to voice his approval and gave the green light to the request made by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the opening ceremony of the Iban Cultural Heritage Symposium and Expo at the Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) today.
In his earlier speech, Uggah appealed to the Premier to allow the DCF to become a part of the upgrading programme for Fort Lily in Betong and Fort Sylvia in Kapit.
He added that there is a need to collect all the important artefacts related to the Dayak and Orang Ulu cultures, beginning with the Iban.
Abang Johari agreed with Uggah’s statement that a dedicated gallery is paramount, as it can serve as a tourist attraction and a place for visiting scholars to conduct their research.
For Abang Johari, a dedicated gallery displaying all the necessary artefacts would make it especially easier for scholars to conduct their research on culture.
“For example, when I visited Taiwan, I found out that their traditional clothes looked similar to the Dayaks. There might be a scholar who would want to explore the relationship between the natives in Taiwan and our (Sarawak) side,” he said.
“We just have to make sure there is enough budget for this (collecting artefacts and building a dedicated gallery). Before all the elders are gone, you (DCF) must gather all their narratives,” added Abang Johari. — DayakDaily
